Mail-box



c. c. MERCK.

I MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 20,1920.

1,368,184. I Patented Feb.8;1921.

" NENTOR a 62am! ATFQRNEY WKTNESS UNITED s'rrss cLAUn o. MERCK, or CLARKESVILLE, GEORGIA,

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

Application filed July 20, 1920. Serial No. 397,670.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUD C. Mnnox, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Clarkesville, in the county of Habersham and State of Georgia, have 111- vented new and useful Improvements in Mail-l3oxes, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to mail boxes and comprehends the provision of a box designed for use in rural districts.

The invention embodies among other teatures, a weighted arm adapted to be pivotally mounted upon a suitable support at a point midway between its ends, the arm sup porting the box at the upper end thereor, the arm being normally disposed vertically, and susceptible of being swung to horizontal position whereby access may be had to the box.

An important object of the invention resides in the specific manner of mounting the arm for the above mentioned purpose, with means for limiting the movement of the arm and supporting the latter in either a vertical or horizontal position.

In carrying out the invention, 1' provide the box with a sliding cover, the latter hav ting associated therewith means for automatically moving the cover to an open or closed position, the cover being automatically opened when the arm is swung from'a vertical to a horizontal position.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is taken in con nection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this appli cation, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing the normal position of the box.

F ig. 2 is a similar view showing the box swung to an adjusted position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view plate.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 10 indicates a supporting plate having a raised central portion 11 of circular outline, this portion being further provided with a reduced of the supporting tubular extension 16 which is received in a recess provided in the arm 14 which is supported by the plate 10. The plate 10 is secured to the post 15 in any suitable manner, the plate and arm 14 being provided with alined openings for the reception of a pivot bolt 13 which secures the post 14 to the plate 10. Surrounding the bolt 13 is a coiled spring 18. Disposed between the arm 14 and the plate 10 is a washer 16 which has the central offset portion 17 to receive a tubular extension 16 of the plate and to also fit within the recess in the arm 14. This washer serves to eliminate wear between the arm 14: and the plate 10 which are preferably constructed of wood. The raised portion 11 of the plate is provided with recesses in one side thereof, the recesses being indicated at 19 and 20 respectively and shown as intersecting each other. The recess 19 recelves the arm 14 while the latter is vertically disposed, while the recess 20 receives the arm when it ishorizontally disposed as shown in Fig. 2. The spring above mentioned functions to hold the arm 1& in one or the other of these recesses. The arm supports at its lower end a weight 21 which facilitates the adjustment of the arm, while the main box 22 is supported by the upper end of the arm. The mail box may be of any suitable construction and cross sectional corifisruration, but by preference is of a cylindrical design. and provided with a sliding cover 23. The cover is pivoted as at 24, while depending from the opposed sides of the cover are weights 25 which allow the cover to automatically close the box when the arm is swung to a vertical position, and automatically opens the box when the arm is swung to a horizontal position. The relative positions of the cover are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The construction is such, that the mail box is normallv disposed in a position completelv out of the way of automobiles, and the like, and when access is desired to be had to the box, the carrier need not leave his vehicle, it being only necessary to engage the arm 14 by means of rod of suitable length having a hook at one end thereof, whereupon the arm 14 may be swung upon its pivot to a horizontal position. The carrier may then removethe mail from the box and deposit what mail he has in the box, without leaving his seat, after which the arm can be moved a slight distance out of the recess 20 after which. the weight will automatically move the arm to a vertical position. The owner of the box can readily and easily adjust the arm by hand.

The raised portions 11 of the supporting plate is formed with spaced lugs or stops 26 adapted to be engaged by a pin 27 carried by the arm 14, whereby the arm is limited in its movement in either direction.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of theinvention Will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to What is herein shown and described, and that suc-h'changes may be resorted to When desired as fall Within the scope ofwhat is claimed.

'What I claim is 1. The combination, a supporting plate having recesses in one side thereof, the recessesintersecting each other, an arm pivotally mounted at a: point between its ends and adapted to be received by one of said recesseswhen in, vertical position and by the other of said recesses in horizontal position, a spaced stop carried by the plate, a pin carried by the arm and adapted to engage said stop to limit the movement 'of said arm, a receptacle carried by one end of the arm a weight carried by the opposite end thereof.

2. The combination, a supporting plate having a raised central portion, the raised portion having recesses intersecting eaclt other and a transverse bore, an arm pivotally mounted upon said plate, the pivot beingpassed through said bore, a spring encircling said pivot adapted to hold said arm in one oi said recesses when the arm is in a vertical position and in the other of said recesses when the arm is in a horizontal position, a receptacle carried by one end of the arm, a Weight supported by the other end thereof, and means for limiting the movement of said arm'in either direction.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

OLAUD C. MERGE. 

